8 Signs That Show There Is Something Wrong With Your Period

Let’s face it, having your period is no fun at the best of times…but when there is something wrong with it, it can be a whole lot worse. But sometimes it can be hard for women and girls to spot it when they are having a period problem: there is a wide range of what is considered to be normal! Below, to help you out, are 8 signs that show there is something wrong with your period.

Your Period is Irregular

Believe it or not, some women never achieve a 28 day cycle — and anything between 21 and 45 days is actually considered to be normal! Girls who have just begun to have their period may find that it is irregular for the first few years — and women who are on the brink of menopause will do the same. However, if you are used to, for example, having a 35-day cycle and suddenly you drop to a 22-day cycle instead, it is best to call your ob-gyn, as this could indicate a hormonal imbalance or other problem.

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Your Periods are Too Close Together or Too Far Apart

If your periods are coming less than 21 days or more than 45 days apart, this could be a signal that something is going on with your health as well. Common causes for too long or too short a menstrual cycle include hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism (too much or too little thyroid hormone). Hard core diets and a too-rigorous exercise schedule can also make periods less frequent. Talking to your doctor about a thyroid function test and going over your diet and exercise routine can be very helpful.

Your Period Comes with Severe Cramps

Mild to moderate cramping during a period is considered normal. But when it is seriously inferring with your life — such as your ability to go to work or school — then there might be a problem. Sometimes severe cramps can be related to your uterus producing too high an amount of prostaglandins, hormone-like compounds that can be a sign of endometriosis or other serious reproductive problem. Talk to your doctor about this and in the meantime, consider using an anti-inflammatory product like Advil which will help block prostaglandin production before it even starts.

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Your Period Comes with Abnormal Bleeding

Bleeding for 3-7 days, and going through 3-6 tampons on each of those days, is considered to be a normal period. However, if you bleed for longer than 7 days or are going through a tampon every hour, there is something wrong. Abnormal bleeding can be caused by many things, include hypothyroidism or uterine cysts or polyps or endometriosis. Your doctor will likely want to do a pelvic exam and other tests to figure out what is causing the abnormal blood flow. This is important to treat, as otherwise it can lead to iron deficiency anemia.

You’re Bleeding in Between Your Periods

It is not considered normal to bleed in between your periods under most circumstances. Be sure to report any unusual bleeding as this can be a sign of low progesterone levels or other hormonal imbalances, the beginnings of menopause (in older women) and is even a side effect of some contraceptives.

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Your Period Comes with Excessive Clots

Some blood clotting during your period is normal, especially in the mornings if the blood has dried overnight. However, excessive blood clotting should be reported to your doctor, as it could be a sign of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), thyroid problems or even blood disorders such as von Willebrand’s disease.

Your Periods are Late in Starting

If you (or your daughter or sister) is 16 and has not yet had a period, going into an ob-gyn for an evaluation is a good idea. This delay in periods could be caused by an eating disorder, hormonal problems or excessive exercise. There are also conditions like genetic disorders or problems with the ovaries or the pituitary gland, which helps to regulate hormones throughout the body.

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Your Period is Sometimes Absent

The most obvious cause of a missed period is pregnancy — and a simple at-home pregnancy test should be able to tell you if this is the case! If you have missed a period but are not pregnant, there are other reasons that this could be happening. These include hormonal disorders like PCOS, use of birth control, poor nutrition, depression or prolonged stress or illness. However, missed periods can also occur with something even more serious, such as ovarian cancer.

12 Practical Tips To Stay Fit For Christmas

Christmas is approaching fast, and lots of people not only tend to ruin their usual diets, but they also gain a few extra pounds. Based on studies, the majority of people tend to gain additional weight during the holiday season that starts at the Thanksgiving Day and ends with the New Year celebrations. Excessive eating is claimed to be the main cause for the additional weight gain, but it is also due to lack of physical activity and exercise.

A lot of individuals out there tend to set aside their fitness routines during the holidays since they believe that they do not have enough time to perform their workouts. And because they feel guilty after the holiday season, most of the gyms and fitness centers are packed with fresh members. Always bear in mind that you can still enjoy the holidays and stay fit at the same time. If you want to stay fit during the holiday season, especially during Christmas and the New Year’s Eve, here are some useful tips that might help you:

1. Eat Before Heading Out

First, it is best that you eat something before heading out to visits, trips or family dinners. By doing so, you will no longer be tempted to eat a lot or overindulge yourself since you have already eaten. Skipping on meals is not a good idea either, because you will only be forced to eat more later.

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2. Select The Treats

Make sure to select the treats that you eat in a wise manner. You should choose something that you can only enjoy during the holiday season and not something that is readily available all the time.

3. Avoid Skipping Meals

Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast! Even though it can be tempting to skip on certain meals, believing that it will make up for the treats you consumed in the previous day, don’t do it because it will only lead to counterproductive results.

4. Drink With Moderation

It is best to regulate your drinking since alcohol, coke or other juices will only add more calories to the ones you already eaten!

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5. Be Active

You should still perform your fitness routine whenever possible and if you can’t do that, simply walk more, park your car some distance away from the store or just use the stairs!

6. Get Out Of The House

Make the holidays a family affair and plan outdoor activities where everyone is involved. Even a snowball fight in the backyard will burn a lot of calories and will keep the children entertained.

7. Don’t Skip Your Strength Workouts

Always remember to perform your strength training in order to maintain that muscle mass you worked hard to get. You might be tempted to use lightweights and just do some cardio, but you can burn just as many calories by lifting weights. And with all of those extra stakes you had on the holiday meals, you might even gain some extra muscle. And this is much better than gaining some extra fat.

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8. Set Realistic Goals

You should set realistic exercise objectives. Aim for at least half an hour per day and you will be very happy when you will achieve that. If you plan one hour or more and not achieve it, you will only end up disappointed.

9. Enjoy Yourself

Also make sure to set realistic diet plans! Trying to restrain yourself totally from some foods will only make you eat more. Feel free to enjoy the treats that you really love, but in small portions.

10. Drink A Lot Of Water

This can satiate your appetite as well as keep you hydrated at all times. And it will also prevent a possible hangover if you overdo it with alcohol.

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11. Eat Less And More Often

Distribute your meals evenly throughout the day, and do not eat everything at once. Instead of having 2 enormous meals, have 5 small ones. Eat your dinner earlier and have a nice walk before going to bed.

12. Prioritize Your Workouts

Try to do them early in the morning while everyone else is still sleeping. This way you will also avoid remarks like “Oh, come on! It’s Christmas…”

So there you go! Twelve simple tips that will help you avoid gaining weight during the winter holidays, but will also allow you to enjoy yourself and have a great time with your loved ones.